President Zuma to lead delegation to AU Summit

President Jacob Zuma will on Friday lead the South African delegation to the 24th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly (AU Summit) to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The summit will consider the adoption of Agenda 2063, the continental plan to ensure positive socio-economic transformation within the next 50 years. It will also explore concrete ways to achieve women’s empowerment and gender equality.

The Presidency said the summit will also address health matters, especially the scourge of the Ebola pandemic; peace and security; and development and administrative related issues, including the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

The 2015 AU Summit will be held under the theme “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”.

The Presidency said the summit will also inaugurate the Nelson Mandela Hall (the plenary hall of the African Union Headquarters), which was named after the late former President of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, during the 22nd Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly held in Addis Ababa, in January 2014.

“Prior to the summit, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will lead the South African delegation to the 26th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council to be held from 26 – 27 January 2015.

“The Executive Council is composed of Ministers or authorities designated by the governments of the AU members states,” said the Presidency.

President Zuma will be accompanied by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe; Minister in The Presidency Responsible for Women Susan Shabangu; Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; Public Service and Administration Minister Collins Chabane; State Security Minister David Mahlobo and Public Service and Administration Deputy Minister Ayanda Dlodlo.
Source: SAnews.gov.za